Asbestos Exposure History Investigation

Quick Answer

Asbestos exposure history investigation reconstructs your complete work record (30-50 years) — every employer, jobsite, job title, product encountered. Sources: union pension records, social security work history, naval service records, OSHA inspection records, family memory, bankrupt manufacturer records. Required for trust fund + lawsuit claims.

Building a complete asbestos exposure history is the foundation of any mesothelioma case. The investigation typically takes 4-8 weeks and uses multiple data sources:

Information Gathered

• Every employer over the entire working career (typically 30-50 years)
• Job titles and specific work tasks
• Specific jobsites (refineries, shipyards, power plants, etc.)
• Asbestos-containing products encountered (Kaylo, Bestwall, Garlock, Crane, Eternit, etc.)
• Co-workers (often used as witnesses)
• Military service (verified via DD-214 — required for VA claims)
• Secondary exposure pathways (worked alongside insulators, etc.)

Information Sources

• Social Security Earnings History — confirms employer + dates of all employment
• Union pension records — UA Plumbers and Pipefitters, HFIAW Asbestos Workers, IBB Boilermakers, IBEW Electricians, USW Steelworkers, etc.
• Veterans Administration records — DD-214, ship assignments, base assignments, ratings/MOS history
• OSHA inspection records — establishes asbestos use at specific employers/jobsites
• Asbestos product databases — proprietary databases tracking which products were used at which locations and when
• Bankruptcy trust records — establishes exposure to specific manufacturers' products
• Family + co-worker memory — fills gaps and confirms specific exposures
• Employer personnel records — when accessible

Why This Investigation Matters

The exposure history determines: (1) which defendants to name in lawsuits, (2) which asbestos trust funds you qualify for (most claimants qualify for 8-15), (3) the strength of your case (more documented exposures = stronger case + higher compensation), (4) jurisdiction selection (where defendants have the strongest connections). A thorough investigation can mean the difference between $500K and $2.5M in total recovery.